Disclaimer: If, then I'd make a sequel, focusing on the aliens.
A/N: (I should be working on all sorts of things. Or sleeping, really).
Ideas of a genius-wanna-be
Whenever he spent time with Ichigo, Masaya always thought way too much.
It's not that he was so bored by her talk that he escaped into the world of imaginary. No, on the contrary, he loved to hear Ichigo speak.
She was an interesting person, who could express herself through speech much better that he could. That fascinated him immensely, along with her ability to influence (and sometimes even change) people through the seemingly magic words of kindness. Ichigo Momomiya was an intriguing human, full of love for this planet and its inhabitants. He wished he could understand her and share this affection.
But for now, he was content with loving only her. After all, the rest could wait. (And they probably couldn't care less for the love of a teenager).
And so, he felt guilty every time his thoughts would wander off. It was one thing when he was alone, but when they were having a conversation...Well, that certainly complicated things.
Even now, when she was complaining about her English homework, he barely listened, watching her talk animatedly, using her face and hands and (occasionally) feet to bring her point across.
"But you chose this course yourself, because you know you need to brush up your skills", - he heard himself say.
Ichigo made an exasperated noise. "I know. I know that! But it's so boring to do all of these grammar exercises. And we don't have any speech practice at all!"
Masaya, who'd looked back at his own homework only for a second, turned back to his discouraged girlfriend. She was clearly she wanted his help?
No, he'd only offered her to study together at his place, which was far quieter than her dorm room, since he lived alone. But he couldn't just do her homework (even though he somehow wanted to. They'd have more time for themselves then).
"Honestly, I learned more when we were in England. Even though I couldn't speak that well back then".
Masaya leaned his chin on his hand and gazed at her. The light from his desk-lamp set her hair on fire.
"Improving grammar and vocabulary is important, but it's not going to-"
Her eyes were shining. Was she angry? Exasperated? He couldn't tell.
"I think I know more about theory now, and that is good. Why do we need this additional - and totally useless - information?!"
Yes, she was clearly angry. Maybe she would quit this course and join of the biology seminars he was taking? Speaking of which, he should really work on this presentation. And since he was going in alone, he had to think how to balance theory and practice, so that his fellow students wouldn't fall-
"Are you even listening to me?!" He voice pulled him out of his thoughts. He had started doodling, for some reason. His worksheet was now a field of flowers and strange triangles.
Masaya looked at her, nodded quickly and leaned in to kiss her.
Ichigo gasped, clearly surprised. He boyfriend rarely expressed his feeling in the "traditional" way, to the point that sometimes no one suspected they were dating. Not that she was all that different. A small smile in public was all she could muster, even as her heart beat like a caged bird, ready to either jump out her throat or choke her.
Even when they were alone, she wasn't worried about her safety, as her father would put it. It seemed, as if Masaya was content with being near her. They had sorted out their feelings a long time ago, knowing that both would give up their lifes for the other. They understood each other pretty well, so misunderstandings were rare, and when they occurred, the couple always salved them easily. Masaya would joke sometimes that they'd start hating each other if they moved together, since there would be arguments over who had to take out the trash or do the dishes. Ichigo worried about their seemingly all-powerful love crumbling beneath daily routine. Masaya reassured her, saying they'd have to be smart.
He kissed her again and again, with frightening urgency, as if he was a starving man and these kisses his last supper. As if they would never kiss again.
Ichigo shivered. No. No more. No one was going to hurt them ever again. No one would take him away. They were safe. Driving away these thoughts, she kissed him back, shyly first, and then more and more matching his urgency. Masaya pulled her close, arms snaking around her waist pulling her closer closer, modesty be damned - for they were never close enough - and somehow she ended up sitting on his lap.
Ichigo drew back, startled at the move. She felt downright awkward, but when she looked at Masaya's equally flushed face, shy and embarrassed just as she was... She smiled back and then leaned in again.
Masaya, on the other hand, was a little surprised with himself. Usually, he didn't allow his emotions to overpower him, as much as he wanted too at times. He wouldn't exactly call himself cold and calculation (not with Ichigo, never with her), still he had to be sensible. She was such a delicate person, for all her fierce temperament. His thoughts rushed off in all directions, pulling his mind's attention away from his love.
Love really was like kendo. One wrong move...Be careful, reasonable. Reasonable...
This time it was he who drew back, his wandering mind left hanging on a particular thought. An idea.
"That's it," – he murmured to himself. His gaze focused on Ichigo. She was breathless, her hair tousled, lips lightly swollen. Eyes shining, cheeks flaming. In the light of his desk-lamp, on his lap, in his room, in his house, in his world. In his heart. Always always. As for his mind...
"You're...amazing", – he breathed, not quite daring to call her brilliant, because it was still his idea, but never mind that. He kissed her once, softly this time. And then turned to his desk, to his notes, balancing her in his arms, not wanting to let go just yet.
"Wha-"
"That's it. It was so simple, why couldn't I see it? A quiz! Just a small quiz after the presentation, and we can do it in class, so they can see the answers too. Oh, I can put them into the Power Point, and-"
"Masaya?" He quickly turned to her, taking in her confused expression and smiled apologetically. Brushed his lips over hers. "And then- Oh, maybe one of those 10 minutes documentaries at the end. Or I could just make reference or suggestion. Oh and pictures too, so there won't be complains over too much theory-"
Ichigo stared at the back of his head, as he went on and on about his presentation. The red-head sighed exasperated, and slipped out of his arms. Masaya glanced at her, confusion and - was it fear?- evident in his eyes. She grinned at him. "I'll make some tea, kay?" He nodded happily, features softening at her non-direct reassurance. As she went into the kitchen, he worked on. And on, and on, until his not-yet-masterpiece project was finished.
She wasn't quite a muse, she was so much more. But inspire him she did. At the most inconvenient moments. He was guilty, but always happy and grateful.
X
End note: At first, I wanted Masaya to get a story idea, or something like that. But that would be just too obvious…
